New model assists WAF work

THE introduction of a new water model system in the Western Division has helped the Water Authority of Fiji identify areas with intermittent supply.

In a statement, WAF said the situation of intermittent supply resulted from a combination of problems that developed over time.

"The current challenges WAF is facing are in terms of aged and undersized pipes and reservoirs with lesser transporting capabilities," the statement read.

"The designs and construction was done some decades ago to cater for a different population and demand. However, the use of the water model is helping us to monitor, operate and forecast their system behaviour."

According to WAF, it also had a physical verification of its assets in the field.

WAF then worked out engineering solutions that would mitigate the problems faced by people receiving intermittent supply.

"It wasn't an easy task for the authority as this took a long time and a lot of patience from its customers. Through the Hydraulic Water Network Model it was much easier to have an overall view of the water supply network.

"This enabled WAF to simulate different scenarios without affecting supply to its customers. The Hydraulic Water Modelling has also been used to forecast which assets — be it a reservoir or pipeline — that needs to be upgraded to cater for its potential customers' future demand.

"This gives WAF the ability to prioritise which assets it needs to upgrade and when it needs to upgrade to ensure that supply to its customers is never disrupted."